Strong Second Half Spurs Win Over Rebels

Haley Hall led all-scorers with 22 points in the victory over UNLV. (Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)

PROVO -- Leading by three points at the half, the BYU women’s basketball team finished the afternoon strong, defeating UNLV 76-60 on Saturday. With the win the Cougars improve to 15-6 on the season and 6-3 in Mountain West Conference play.

“It’s a good win,” said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins. “It’s nice to get one in the win column. UNLV is a very scary team. They can go on terrors and get right back into the game.”

Leading BYU was junior Haley Hall with 22 points. Three other Cougars also scored in double-figures, including Mindy Nielson Bonham with 13 points and Jazmine Foreman and Alexis Kaufusi with 11 apiece. Foreman also recorded a career-high 11 assists, marking her first double-double at BYU.

“Jazmine had one of her best games,” said Judkins. “She let it come to her. She did really well today at shooting the ball and taking care of it.”

The Rebels jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before a make by Bonham sparked a 7-0 BYU run. Hall knocked down a three-pointer and jumper to five the Cougar a two-point lead. UNLV continued to put up points, scoring three straight baskets.

With BYU trailing 21-14, Foreman knocked down a make from behind the arc. Coriann Wood got in on the three-point action, recording two consecutive treys with 7:13 to play in the first half to turn the lead back over to the Cougars. Foreman scored another three-pointer before a 2-for-2 trip to the free throw line, giving BYU a 28-23 advantage.

Hall made the team’s sixth trey of the half with 3:02 remaining in the first half, but the Rebels made one of their own as the game clock ran out before the break. The Cougars entered halftime with a 33-30 lead, despite trailing in the rebounds column, 13 to UNLV’s 24.

The second half started with Kristen Riley making a three-pointer, but the Rebels knocked down three treys of their own to take a 39-38 lead. With the score tied 40-40, BYU staged a 13-0 run with help from Kaufisi, Foreman, Hall, Wood and Bonham.

While the Rebels made four trips to the free throw line, Hall continued to contribute, accounting for seven of the Cougars' final 11 points.

“Haley really shot the ball well,” said Judkins. “She came out with a lot of heart. She wanted to hit some shots early and did a great job.”

The Cougars return to action on Feb. 13 as they travel to Air Force and will return to the Marriott Center on Feb. 17 to take on Colorado State.